Continuing a scene from my first book, Ghosts of Innocence.
Shayla has stolen the identity of a newly-appointed senior public servant, and infiltrated the Palace in disguise. She has already fallen foul of her new boss, Mabbwendig ap Terlion, Master of the Emperor’s Domestic Household, and is confronting her again in the cavernous staff dining hall.
Mabb has just ordered food to be served, but the senior waiter is clearly expecting something from Shayla/Brynwyn first. Note - Shayla first met Luke Frendis in an earlier scene, where she surprised everyone in the room by showing Brynwyn’s deeply religious side.
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The slap of Shayla's hand on the table broke the silence. All faces turned towards her as she stood. She knew what Brynwyn would do here, what Luke Frendis was waiting for, but her stomach knotted as she thought how Mabbwendig might react.
"Are we all swine at a trough?" Her voice carried to every corner of the room. "Is gratitude so impoverished here?"
She bowed her head and clasped her hands in front of her. Without waiting to see if anyone followed her lead, Shayla said, "From sea to cloud to rainfall, from field to crop to table, we take from the earth and we give back to it. In the circle of life we are united, and we offer thanks for the life-giving gifts brought to our table today. May the nourishment of the body nourish the soul."
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20 comments:
I wonder how Mabb will react as well. Intriguing!
Hi Ian - yes I wonder what Mabb is going to do ... and how the others will react - intriguing - cheers Hilary
Well at least she's staying in character for the identity she 'borrowed.' Interesting scene...
Hi Ian,
You've written some strong and compelling prose here. It seems that Mabb had found her calling, LOL. Interesting scene.
Nice! Wow--she is a chameleon.. She's stepped into the role quite well!
What a way to control a situation! I'm sure all thoughts of naughty behavior have soured. Great scene, Ian!
Great snippet. Hope to read more
Jessica, Hilary, we'll see shortly.
Veronica, she's been working hard at this character.
Andrea, thanks.
Teresa, this is what she does, and she'd done her research.
Nancy, control ... for now, but it's far from over.
Naomi, more will follow.
Awesome prayer. Definitely a room stopping moment.
Bold move on her part.
Donna, I was quite proud of that prayer :)
Ed, I don't think the shrinking violet approach will get her where she needs to be, so bold it is :)
I like that prayer too - they should certainly give thanks, and she did well to remind them - and she's enjoying the role she's playing by the seems of it!
She's taken on the role nicely. Great prayer.
Hywela, a good reminder for sure, but she's treading a tightrope far too much to be enjoying it :(
Karen, taking on roles likes this is a part of her job. When it's life or death she'd better be good at it!
Brynwyn is a neat name.
The prayer she says is beautiful.
That sure stopped all conversation. Beautiful prayer. Well done snippet.
That was a beautiful scene and beautiful writing as well!
Chrys, I thought so too :)
Diane, the stoppage will prove to be only temporary!
Siren, thanks.
This was a great scene. I liked it almost as much as the one where she does that dance. Shayla is a memorable character.
Susan, it's hard to place snippets in such small chunks, but this scene does indeed lead into that dance scene.
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